Mission and Values
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver success for every student through an ambitious, knowledge‑rich curriculum and a culture of high expectations that empowers young people to think deeply, work hard, and achieve exceptional outcomes.
We develop character with intention—building resilience, confidence and communication so every student is ready for life. As a proud, inclusive school community, we ensure every moment matters so that every young person belongs, finds their voice, and steps into the future with purpose, aspiration, and the belief that there are no limits to what they can achieve.
Our Values
Belong. Aspire. Succeed.
Our motto, "Belong, Aspire, Succeed," captures everything we want for the young people in our care. We want every student to feel a strong sense of belonging within our community, to aspire to be the very best version of themselves, and to succeed in whatever path they choose.
Belong
Before students can aspire and succeed, they must first feel that they belong. Creating that sense of community is one of our greatest strengths
- Children achieve their best when they feel safe, valued and included.
- Strong pastoral care and student support.
- Exceptional relationships between staff, students and families.
- A culture built on kindness, respect and ambition.
- Long-standing reputation for excellence.
- Trusted by local families for many years.
- Strong community primaries / sports groups/ careers
- Many former students now return as parents and even teachers!
Aspire
Every Child Matters – Academic Excellence for every child
- Long track record of strong academic outcomes.
- Ambitious curriculum designed for success.
- Expert teachers who know how to inspire learning.
- High expectations matched with high support.
Learning does not stop when lessons end
- Beyond the Classroom/ Exceptional Enrichment
- Students develop confidence, character and skills through:
- Clubs, educational trips, performing arts, student leadership, outdoor ed
- Enrichment helps students discover passions, develop friendships and build resilience.
Succeed
Whether on the sports field, the stage, in the art studio or as a future leader, there is a place for them at Penryn College
- Nationally Recognised Sport
- High-performance programmes / Competitive success/ Pathways for talented athletes
- Creative Arts/ Music, Drama, Dance, Art and design
- Leadership/ Student leadership/ Mentoring opportunities
Our goal is not simply examination success. We prepare young people for successful, fulfilled and meaningful lives.
Students leave Penryn College with:
- Excellent qualifications
- Confidence and resilience
- Leadership skills
- Strong character
- Ambitious aspirations
- Readiness for the modern world
SMSC and British Values
This page sets out what we mean by each of those terms. It sits within our wider Personal Development and Wellbeing offer.
Where it is taught
SMSC is taught across our school curriculum and directly through Finding My Voice, part of our daily P4 lesson, where students discuss belief, ethics, citizenship and identity and learn to put their own view into words.
Examples of SMSC across our school curriculum could be; A Year 9 English class arguing about justice in a novel, a Science lesson weighing the ethics of genetic screening, a Geography fieldtrip on the Fal estuary, a Maths lesson tracing ideas back through Islamic scholarship – these are SMSC as much as they are subject teaching.
Fundamental British Values: I Really Do Matter
We actively promote the four fundamental British values. At Penryn we teach them through a phrase we want every student to know – I Really Do Matter – so that the values are something students can recall and use, rather than a list on a wall.
I – Individual Liberty
Students learn that freedom comes with responsibility. They can say:
I make my own choices, within the law.I respect other people’s right to do the same.
I take responsibility for my choices.
I use my freedom to help, not harm.
I stand up for my right to be myself.
In practice: real choices made in a safe environment – Year 9 options, careers and pathway planning, clubs and enrichment – alongside online and personal safety education.
Really – the Rule of Law
Students learn the difference between school rules, civil law and criminal law. They can say:
I follow the rules, even when no one is watching.I understand that rules apply fairly to everyone.
I know my rights and responsibilities.
I report things that are unsafe or unfair.
I accept fair consequences for my actions.
In practice: school expectations applied clearly and consistently, visiting speakers including [the police and other agencies], and the study of justice and rights across Humanities, Religious Education and P4.
Do – Democracy
Students learn that their voice counts and that it carries an obligation to listen. They can say:
I listen to other people’s opinions.I use my voice and vote when I have the chance.
I respect fair decisions, even if I disagree.
I take part in decisions that affect me.
I know that every voice matters, including mine.
In practice: Student Council and leadership groups, half-termly community listening through P4, the Big Voice annual survey, [Youth Elections / Voting Voice], and the study of Parliament in Humanities and P4. Students are told what changed as a result.
Matter – Mutual Respect and Tolerance
Students learn to value people unlike themselves. They can say:
I treat everyone with kindness and respect.I value people who are different from me.
I challenge unfairness when I see it.
I include others, even if they’re not like me.
I learn from views that differ from mine.
In practice: respectful debate as a habit in lessons, the study of world religions and worldviews, visits to places of worship and visiting speakers, and anti-bullying and equality work.
I Really Do Matter. Every lesson. Every voice. Every student.
Find out more
How we promote SMSC and British Values through the curriculum – subject by subjectPersonal Development and Wellbeing
Our Vision and Values
Curriculum
